Issue link: https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/i/1310851
www.cadence.com 4 Allegro PSpice Simulator simulations that include realistic electrical models of actual components. Design and integration problems can be discovered much earlier in the design process, reducing the number of prototypes needed to execute the design. SLPS integration also lets designers of electro- mechanical systems—such as control blocks, sensors, and power converters— perform integrated system and circuit simulation. (See Figure 3.) Checkpoint restart The checkpoint restart feature allows the designer to store simulation states at various time-points and then restart simulations from any of the simulation states, which saves time. The designer can modify simulation settings and design parameters before starting a simulation from a pre-recorded time-state. Auto-convergence option This option makes the simulator automatically change tolerances limits of convergence to make the design converge. Designers can use this option to achieve convergence and then fine-tune simulations by further modifying simulator options. This option is recom- mended for power electronic designs. Advanced analysis capabilities Using advanced analysis capabilities, designers can automatically maximize the performance of circuits. Four important capabilities—sensitivity analysis, optimi- zation, Smoke (stress analysis), and Monte Carlo (yield analysis) —enable engineers to create virtual prototypes of designs and maximize circuit performance automatically. Measurements across multiple simulation profiles can be processed together. Sensitivity The sensitivity option identifies which component parameters are critical to the goals of a circuit's performance by examining how each component affects circuit behavior by itself and in comparison to the other components. It allows designers to identify sensitive components and export them to the optimizer to fine-tune circuit behavior. Optimizer The optimizer analyzes analog circuits and systems, fine-tuning designs faster than trial-and-error bench testing. It helps find the best component values to meet performance goals and constraints. Designers can use the optimizer to improve design performance, update designs to meet new specifications, optimize behavioral models for top-down design and model generation, and tune a circuit to match known results in the form of measurements or curves. The optimizer includes three engines: modified least squares quadratic (LSQ), random, and discrete. Smoke The Smoke option warns of stressed components due to power dissipation, increases in junction temperature, secondary breakdowns, or violations of voltage/current limits. Over time, these components can cause circuit failure. Designers can use Smoke to compare circuit simulation results to a component's safe operating limits. If limits are exceeded, Smoke identifies the problem parameters. It can also be used for creating, modifying, and configuring derate files for use with Smoke analysis. (See Figure 4.) Monte Carlo Monte Carlo predicts the behavior of a circuit statistically when part values are varied within their tolerance range. Monte Carlo also calculates yield, which can be used for mass manufacturing predictions. Use Monte Carlo for calculating yield based on your specifications calculating statistical data, displaying results in a probability density histogram, and displaying results in a cumulative distribution graph. Figure 4: Smoke compares simulated values with manufacturers' limits to highlight devices operating outside safe operating rages.